'GLAD HE'S DEAD': Osama's Demise Topped Headlines

What a week.

Osama bin Laden was killed. That was big enough news. Then Hopatcong's school budget was defended and attacked at Board of Education and council meetings. Oh, and a Hopatcong teacher met the president.

Miss something? Check out our week in review. Think we missed something? Email brendan@patch.com.

"GLAD HE'S DEAD" Sgt. Michael D. Kirspel of Hopatcong was killed in combat in Afghanistan in October. His mother, Dawn Roberts, said she was glad bin Laden was killed on Sunday. But she also said it couldn't stop her grieving.

"I AM IN TEARS" A Hopatcong High School graduate cried a little when President Barack Obama said Osama bin Laden had been killed Sunday. But they were tears of joy. Anthony Cirri lost his father in the 9/11 attacks. Cirri said bin Laden's death would help bring closure to his family.

"WE GOT HIM" Hopatcong Patch ask borough residents what they thought of bin Laden's death. Spoiler alert: They were ecstatic.

OBAMA CARES Hopatcong teacher Danielle Kovach met President Barack Obama on Tuesday. Obama honored the 2010 New Jersey Teacher of the Year and other top teachers at the White House. But that's not all. Overwhelmed by the moment, Kovach began crying when she shook Obama's hand. Did the president console Kovach?

TIPPING HER HAND? Mayor Sylvia Petillo said she "never heard of" a failed school budget escaping cuts from a town council. That could be bad news for the Board of Education's proposed budget, which was narrowly defeated.

CAPTAIN HOPATCONG The borough police department named a new captain after William Rehe retired. Patch explained new guy's background, and provided information on recent police department personnel changes.

SPEAKING OUT Several parents told the Board of Education they didn't want to see teachers cut at Monday night's meeting. The district notified six teachers recently they could lose their jobs if the budget failed, which it did.

CLOGGED TOILET A Hopatcong woman tried flooding her jail cell by shoving toilet paper down its toilet and repeatedly flushing, Jefferson police said.